Spear: Mandela and the Revolutionaries

Spear: Mandela and the Revolutionaries is a revelatory and definitive account of how Nelson Mandela and his peers led South Africa to the brink of revolution against the postwar twentieth century's most infamously racist regime. Spear brings to life the brief revolutionary period in which Mandela and his comrades fought apartheid not just with words but also with violence. Drawing from several hundred first-person accounts, Paul Landau traces Mandela's allies and opponents in communist, pan-Africanist, liberal, and other groups involved in escalating resistance alongside the ANC. The state short-circuited those plans and subsequently jailed, exiled, tortured, and murdered revolutionaries.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 372 pages
Publication date: 09 May 2022
Publisher: Ohio University Press

A captivating and comprehensive exploration of the remarkable journey undertaken by Nelson Mandela and his fellow leaders, propelling South Africa towards the precipice of a revolutionary upheaval against the most notorious racist regime of the post-World War II era. Spear: Mandela and the Revolutionaries vividly portrays the brief yet pivotal revolutionary era in which Mandela and his comrades courageously waged a fierce battle against apartheid, employing both words and violence. Following the tragic Sharpeville police shootings of peaceful civilian protesters in 1960, Mandela and his colleagues in the mass-resistance order of the African National Congress (ANC) and the Communist Party took a bold step forward by pioneering the use of force. They established Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), also known as the Spear of the Nation, a civilian-based militia that amassed an arsenal of weapons and launched a relentless war of sabotage against the state. In response, the state retaliated with draconian laws, militarized its police force, and unjustly imprisoned its opponents without the benefit of a fair trial.

To shed light on this critical period of escalation in the movement against apartheid, Paul Landau has compiled a remarkable collection of firsthand accounts, many of which have remained unpublished until now. Through his meticulous research, Landau meticulously traces the alliances and rivalries among Mandela's comrades, encompassing individuals from various communist, pan-Africanist, liberal, and other groups who joined forces with the ANC in their fight for equality.

Following Mandela's imprisonment, the Pan Africanist Congress plotted to unleash street violence, while MK orchestrated Operation Mayibuye, a daring uprising to be led by trained commandos. However, the state swiftly intervened, thwarting these plans and subsequently incarcerating, exiling, torturing, and even assassinating revolutionaries. This marked the beginning of the era of heightened apartheid that would endure for many years.

Spear: Mandela and the Revolutionaries offers a fresh perspective on Mandela's life by delving into this relatively overlooked yet pivotal phase of the anti-apartheid movement. This book goes beyond a mere biographical account, providing a deep and insightful exploration of the complex dynamics and intense struggles that shaped the course of history in South Africa. By examining the actions and strategies of Mandela and his comrades during this critical period, Landau sheds light on the unwavering determination and resilience of those who fought against injustice and oppression.

In conclusion, Spear: Mandela and the Revolutionaries is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the profound impact of Nelson Mandela and his fellow leaders on the history of South Africa. Through its vivid storytelling and meticulous research, this book offers a valuable contribution to our understanding of the struggle against apartheid and the ultimate triumph of democracy and equality in the country.

Weight: 598g
Dimension: 195 x 228 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780821424797